A CITY woman has been banned from having a pet for ten years after a court hard how she starved her German shepherd.

Clare O'Neill, 24, of Tavistock Road, Acocks Green, was also given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs at Birmingham Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog called Cassie.

The RSPCA told the court that Cassie was emaciated, weighing just 21.5kg when she arrived at the vets.

The dog has since been rehomed by the charity.

The court was told how O'Neil had agreed to take the dog from her previous owner who had lived at the house in Tavistock Road.

RSPCA Inspector Rob Hartley said after the hearing: "I am pleased that a ten-year ban was imposed.

"The message is clear - if you take on the responsibility of a pet you must not shirk this responsibility.

"Pets are totally dependant on their owners but this dog was clearly let down."